You Can Reduce Flood Risk

There are no guarantees in life, and while nothing can, with 100% certainty prevent your basement from ever flooding, there are many things a home or building owner can do to dramatically reduce the risk of it happening. It’s really just a matter of how many precautions you’re willing to take and implement to prevent one of the more damaging and costly repairs that a building can experience.

Clear Rain Gutters & Down Spouts

If your rain gutters are blocked, or your down spout is installed too close to your building, all it will take is one heavy rainfall for water to leak down the sides of the building, into the foundation, and into the basement. This is probably the easiest preventive measure to take, as it only requires a bit of diligence to check and clean out these already installed safeguards, and ensure that they are working as intended.

Backwater Valve

Sometimes a flooded basement can occur because the sewage system outside is flooded, and now the flood water from the sewer is backing up from the main sewage lines and into individual homes. A backwater valve is a simple, mechanical device that simply acts like a “hatch” or “lid” for your home’s sewage connection. Normally, it sits dormant, with the valve open, but as soon as water pressure reverses, and water comes pouring back into the home, the lid shuts, preventing the sewer water from backing up into the basement and flooding it. A backwater valve will normally require some small excavation work in the basement in order to install it, but it’s one of the simplest and best ways to prevent a sewage flood from entering a building.

Sump Pump

A sump pump is a mechanical device that can be installed in a basement and is designed to pump water out of the building. While not every building requires such a device, they are quite practical in areas where there is a significant risk of regular flooding. Sump pumps usually have their tank where the water accumulates first, and so act as a the first line of defense in ensuring the water level never rises beyond the tank and is safely pumped to another location. Often, the sump pump is used in conjunction with another device, known as weeping tile, which is a pipe laid out underground near a building, collecting water and depositing it into the tank of the sump pump for removal.

Of course there are even more elaborate and comprehensive measures you can take to protect your home when you reduce flood risk, but it’s best to consult the experts to find out which ones best suit your situation. If you’d like to know more, AAAction Waterproofing is more than happy to discuss the best options for your home or other building.